Rasta squatters brace for new eviction battle

For more than 30 years, the squatters of St Agnes Place have formed one of Britain's most distinctive communities.

The proud and well known Rastafarian enclave, complete with its own temple, drew Bob Marley to St Agnes Place on several occasions in the 1970s. They say it was his home from home. But Marley passed away in 1981, and soon the unique community in Kennington, south London, may be history too. Twenty two terraced houses at the heart of St Agnes Place - said to be the capital's oldest squatted street - are likely to be demolished to make way for a social housing development.

Attempts by residents to claim official and then informal squatters' rights have been brushed aside by the courts and the properties have been declared unlawfully occupied. Officials on Lambeth council claim the redevelopment is necessary to regenerate a rundown area plagued by crime. Surrounded by parkland and close to the station, each house could fetch around £500,000.

Yesterday the 100 Rastafarians of St Agnes Place prepared to mark the anniversary of Emperor Haile Selassie's coronation in 1930 knowing that the deadline for them to move on has elapsed. The council returned to court yesterday to get a further order and the next visitors could be the bailiffs. But the Rastafarians and other squatters are determined not to go without a fight. "We are not just going to move," said Ras Solomon, a tall, thin figure. "This is the core of the Rasta community in Britain. We want to work with the council but we are not going to stand around and let them evict us like animals."

At the temple, the UK headquarters of the International Rastafarian Movement, Sister Nzingha said they were victims of gentrification. "We took these properties on when they were rat-ridden, without electricity, without gas and without windows. We made this place habitable."

Even those who are not Rastafarian claim the diverse mix is worth preserving. Alex Windsor, an aspiring jazz musician, said: "People feel able to leave their doors open. But we are on potentially lucrative real estate. The council has got its eyes on the money."

There have been previous attempts to regenerate St Agnes Place. In 1977 and 1978, officials tried to take possession. A ball and chain were moved into place, but the threat was seen off. Last month Lambeth won permission to execute a bailiffs' warrant. The endgame looms.

But the squatters say their communal way of life equips them to meet the threat. Meetings have been held in the cafe at Number 60, a basement room with a cluttered kitchen at one end. Young squatters boast of the international appeal of St Agnes Place, where there are also Brazilians, Moroccans, Poles, Germans, Spaniards and Indians.

Rastafarians congregate at the temple, with its red, gold and green Ethiopian flags, and at the other end of the street at number 93, where they organise youth activities and help aspiring musicians. Ras John has his place decorated with more panache than most - including a miniature water feature. "I have made it look good," he said.

For the council, the issue is clearcut. The houses are illegally occupied and lie in an area which needs new homes and better leisure facilities. Evicted residents will receive statutory assistance according to their circumstances.

But Anthony Powell, 58, who has been there from the start, said things would not be so straightforward. "This is our street and the temple is our embassy," he said. "These things will stay."